Musashi's Oar
The other day I alluded to the tale of Musashi's duel with Sasaki Kojiro, or Ganryu as he was known. In this famous duel Musashi killed his opponent with a sword he had carved from an oar. This sounds very bizarre on first glance so why did he do it? He had two perfectly servicable swords; in fact he was known for practicing the two sword style. So why carve a sword from an old oar? Here is my considered opinion on what it reveals about Musashi and his mind-set...
First, Musashi was travelling to his duel in a rowing boat as the location was an island in the straits between two of the main Japanese land masses. Maybe he was bored and wanted something to do! Whilst he was on the boat he also wove two strings from paper to hold back the hakama he was wearing so it wouldn't obstruct him. Also, it was quite a long boat ride and carving something would allow Musashi to clear his mind of un-necessary worries.
But I think the reason is deeper than that. Musashi was fighting Ganryu, also known as "The Demon of the Western Provinces", a man who already had founded his own school and used an exaggeratedly long sword known as 'The Drying Pole'. Musashi knew this and also knew that Ganryu used a move based on the flight of a swallow which exploited the length of his sword to full effect. So I believe Musashi deliberately carved a sword that was marginally longer than Ganryu's. You must remember that in those days a well wielded wooden sword could be just as lethal as a steel one so there would be less tactical disadvantage in carving a sword than first appears.
Finally, Musashi knew that arriving as he did (carefully contrived to be late) and carrying a wooden hand carved sword would in all likelihood distract, annoy and disturb his opponent.
This to me demonstrates the depth of awareness Musashi had about all situations which is echoed in his writings when he says:
And the result of the duel and the tactics Musashi used...? Ah, that is a tale for another post!
First, Musashi was travelling to his duel in a rowing boat as the location was an island in the straits between two of the main Japanese land masses. Maybe he was bored and wanted something to do! Whilst he was on the boat he also wove two strings from paper to hold back the hakama he was wearing so it wouldn't obstruct him. Also, it was quite a long boat ride and carving something would allow Musashi to clear his mind of un-necessary worries.
But I think the reason is deeper than that. Musashi was fighting Ganryu, also known as "The Demon of the Western Provinces", a man who already had founded his own school and used an exaggeratedly long sword known as 'The Drying Pole'. Musashi knew this and also knew that Ganryu used a move based on the flight of a swallow which exploited the length of his sword to full effect. So I believe Musashi deliberately carved a sword that was marginally longer than Ganryu's. You must remember that in those days a well wielded wooden sword could be just as lethal as a steel one so there would be less tactical disadvantage in carving a sword than first appears.
Finally, Musashi knew that arriving as he did (carefully contrived to be late) and carrying a wooden hand carved sword would in all likelihood distract, annoy and disturb his opponent.
This to me demonstrates the depth of awareness Musashi had about all situations which is echoed in his writings when he says:
- Know the advantages and disadvantages of everything
- Develop a discerning eye in all matters
- Understand what cannot be seen by the eye
- Pay attention to even small things
And the result of the duel and the tactics Musashi used...? Ah, that is a tale for another post!
posted by Dave at
6:11 PM
3 Comments:
I find the outcome of this tale very inspiring, and the words that he quotes are very...quotable
Wikipedia told me the answer, and winning because you had a bigger stick seems a little bit like cheating.
If he was as good as his renown suggests then he would have won with his usual weapons.
I disagree Rob. Making a bokken longer than his opponents is exploiting his opponent's dependance on his longer blade, so it is sort of a lesson in a way.
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